Today we’d like to introduce you to Les Izmore.
Hi Les, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I got started with observation and participation. Deejays like Joc Max, Deejay Platinum, DJ Imperial, DJ Ataxic, and many more have helped me see our infinite options in music and life. My heart illuminates when reminiscing about legendary Kansas City events like the weekly Hip Hop & Hot Wings, numerous open mics, Cyphers, Freestyle Sessions, Poetry Jams, and HipHopKC cultural events. Missouri to Kansas. Salute to all our Cities. You Feel Me. We are all students and teachers. I became a musician by becoming friends with musicians. I’m just another human carrying the torch. Hip Hop, Horns, Drums, Guitars, BEATS, and Rhymes is how I got here. Haha! That led me to study and learn to be an artist rooted in multi-disciplinary culture and experiments. I stay centered and meditate through experimentation and Pan-African sonic creations. I am now a musician, composer, producer, bandleader, ethnomusicologist, spoken word artist, writer, poet, percussionist, songwriter, and vocalist.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
I’ve taken an underground road that’s most traveled. We all struggle with structural racism, patriarchy, and classism in spaces where music, culture, and entertainment coincide. High-frequency creativity can be overshadowed and attacked by the status quo cultures. Therefore, daily decolonization is key.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m the creator of KCulture Building and a producer collaborating with the Sankara Seed Project. My work critically examines the world’s sociopolitical injustices, creating spaces for conversation, edutainment, healing, and action. Les Izmore & The GOATS is a project that opens Black portals to Decolonized Worlds using the technology of Live Looping, hand percussion, string instruments, and improvisation based on lyricism and heartfelt structured pieces. KCulture Building curates an environment where liberatory words, music, art, and experimentation can be engaged. Workshops and artist talks are a core staple. KCulture Building fights back against dehumanization with self-love and community. I focus on creativity, songwriting, looping, and music production workshops. What sets me apart is that I am a Diasporic Punx, opening multidimensional portals of music. Our founding musical ancestors inspire this music to decolonize, and spacetime bends sounds of the Caribbean, Latin America, West, Central, and Southern Africa.
Les Izmore has shared the stage with such acts as Kendrick Lamar, Shabazz Palaces, Public Enemy, Seun Kuti and the Egypt 80, Tank and the Bangas, Femi Kuti & The Positive Force ft. Mádé Kuti, KRS-ONE, dead prez, SOUL GLO, Lupe Fiasco, Mobb Deep, Reflection Eternal (Hi-Tek & Talib Kweli), Sadat X, Slick Rick, Snoop Dogg, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Tef Poe, Hermon Mehari, Joc Max, Deejay Platinum, Emcee Reach, The Roots, Chance the Rapper, Del the Funky Homosapien, Combo Chimbita, Earthgang, Fashawn, Exile, Bahamadia, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Clipping, Mobb Deep, Radkey, Ozomatli, Making Movies, Las Cafeteras, Gio Chamba, Busdriver, Milo, Nocando, Open Mike Eagle (Hellfyre club), and The BUHS.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was full of joy and happiness. Flashing dimples everywhere! Haha! If I weren’t laughing with friends and family, I would usually be quiet and observe everybody else. Of course, comic books and sports had me in a trance for a hot minute.
Pricing:
- Consult for Pricing
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lesizmoregoats.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesizmoregoats/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arquesta/
- Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/LesIzmoreGOATS
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LesIzmore
- Other: https://leslieandlunaco.com/collections/local-artist-merch
Image Credits
All Images by Banjo Izzy
